$40,000 Reward to Catch the Poacher Who Killed a Grizzly Bear, Also Resulting in the Death of Her Cub

An adult female grizzly bear was shot and killed near the Pole Bridge Campground in Island Park, ID, between March 15 and March 23, and Idaho Fish and Game ask for information from the public to help solve the case. Grizzly bears are protected by both state and federal law, with no current hunting season in Idaho. Cumulative rewards from various organizations totaling $40,000 are being offered for information leading to a citation and conviction in this case

“The loss of a reproductive female grizzly is a real tragedy. Someone out there knows what happened to this bear and we are asking them to come forward and share that information with us.”

– Regional Conservation Officer Doug Petersen

After receiving a mortality signal from the bear’s collar, Fish and Game staff discovered the bear’s carcass lying partially submerged in the Little Warm River. Further investigation revealed that the bear had died from multiple gunshot wounds.

• Related: Man Mauled by Grizzly Bear Near Yellowstone National Park, MT Has Passed Away | Bear Has Been Killed

A subsequent investigation of the female grizzly’s den site revealed a 6-8 week old cub that also perished due to her death.

This is the third grizzly bear shooting in the same general area over the past eight months. In September of 2020, an adult male grizzly was shot and killed in Coyote Meadows, followed by the shooting of a young male bear in November that was discovered near the Cold Springs Road. All three cases remain under investigation.

Due to the seriousness of this crime, the following entities are offering rewards with a combined potential payout of $40,000 for information that helps solve the case:

• Citizens Against Poaching is offering $5,000 for information that leads to a conviction.
• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest or a criminal conviction of the person(s) responsible for the crime.
• Independent rewards from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) totaling up to $30,000

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to call the Upper Snake Regional Office 208-525-7290, Citizen’s Against Poaching hotline1-800-632-5999, or report online https://idfg.idaho.gov/poacher. Callers may remain anonymous.